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I see what ou mean. The only time Tool realy made a big sound transition was the leap from Undertow to Aenema.

You have to take into consideration that Maynard also has two other bands he uses to change the sound with. Plus, Tool is not just Maynard's band. Adam Jones and Danny Carrie are largely responsible for the sound of Tool as well. I doubt that each of their styles will change that much on the next record. At least I hope...

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Tool fans were disappointed to say the least when singer Maynard James Keenan announced that there would be no release from the band in 2013. The modern experimental legends have been working on a new album for some time, and drummer Danny Carey says, along with a bunch of other news, that a 2013 release is still planned.

When it comes to the upcoming Tool album, Carey stated that it is still planned to dropin 2013. “Sometime this year … that’s all I can say,” Carey tells TheRockFM about the record. “The sooner the better for us. We’re working everyday but you can never predict it, honestly. We’re really excited about it so I hope all the fans will be too.” Carey also reports that bassist Justin Chancellor has been the “main driving force” to get the album completed.

Carey also told the radio station that he plays drums on the soundtrack to the upcoming Superman film ‘Man of Steel.’ In addition, he adds that Tool have a massive amount of live material that may be released on CD or DVD form in the future. “We have tons of stuff recorded,” says Carey. “I hope we do make that happen one of these days. We have lots of video stuff too, we could do a DVD or two whenever we get around to it. We’re kind of trying to focus on the new thing now, so we’ll go back at some point and do it.”

In a separate interview with David Farrier, Carey spoke about an epic 20-minute piece being constructed for Tool’s next record. “We’re still – believe it or not! – still working on it,” the drummer says about the piece. “[Laughs] It’s like an ever-evolving thing, it’s probably going to turn into a thing that’s like, a big trilogy type of feel to it, sort of like ‘Disposition’ and ‘Intension’ and ‘Triad,’ like on the ‘Lateralus’ record or something. It will probably be over a 20-minute piece when it’s all finished, so it will be a good part of the record. We’re dealing with it in sections, but it’s coming together really well, we’re having lots of fun working on it, that’s for sure.”

Finally, Danny Carey revealed that he was, in fact, the mystery Tool member that sustained injuries from what was reported as a Vespa accident. “It’s been tough lately because I cracked four ribs,” Carey begins, “broke three of them on a motorcycle the other day, so I am kinda laid up at this point, it’s making it really painful to play. It’s not an easy thing to do. [Laughs] … it was just over in the San Fernando Valley, I was just turning to go on the freeway, and I think I hit some antifreeze or oil or something, and the wheels just slipped right out from under me, and I just hit the pavement really hard. [Laughs] … Yeah, I’m still in one piece anyway, but I don’t know how lucky I was the way I feel right now [Laughs]. It’s pretty painful, but some painkillers and some scotch will get you through it.”

Tool have also just announced a cluster of tour dates in Australia and New Zealand. Stay tuned for more news on the band’s upcoming record.

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There's been a lot of activity with these guys of late. Lots of mini interviews with radio stations, announcements of a short Australian tour, Maynard posting that there is no album. An album is definitely on the horizon. I wouldn't be surprised if it was completed months ago.

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TOOL will release a handcrafted, bonus-laden, limited edition package of their original debut EP, Opiate, on Mar. 26 to mark the 21st anniversary of the six-song release.

The anniversary edition is limited to 5,000 copies and features art direction by Adam Jones, illustrations by legendary artist Adi Granov and design packaging by Mackie Osborne, who has collaborated with TOOL on many albums including 10,000 Days, Lateralus and Salival as well as posters and merchandise.

The 5,000 copies will be broken down as 5 x 1,000 runs with each set featuring a variation of the exterior graphics and included bonus items which include a new stereoscopic image for fans to use with their glasses from the 10,000 Days packaging.

The packages will only be available via TOOL's website www.toolband.com on Mar. 26 and there will be no pre-orders. A limit of three packages from each of the 5 x 1,000 versions will be in place. More details to be announced soon.

Stop farting around and release the new cd I'll be a sucker and get the limit of three packages although wondering how fast the small lot will last.

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We’ve got an update from the Tool camp regarding the band’s long-awaited fifth studio album! Posted on Oct. 23 at Tool’s official website, a lengthy testimonial has been made public detailing the album’s progression.

Back in July, we spoke with drummer Danny Carey about his new project Volto! before sneaking in a few Tool questions as well. At that point, the drummer spoke about the creative progression of Tool’s new stuff and his hopes to enter the studio by 2013′s end.

As for vocalist Maynard James Keenan, the man teased a 2014 release for Tool’s next album back in September. Keenan relayed the info through Puscifer‘s Instagram account, writing, “For my 666th IG photo, I’d just like to say… Music is happening on ALL fronts. Always. #lightenupfrancis#shitupandletmework #tool2014 @aperfectcircle @tool @puscifer”

Although Tool’s newest update doesn’t offer any info on Maynard Keenan’s involvement in the creative process, it does paint a more vivid picture of what to expect from Tool. Here’s the full update from Tool’s insider as posted on the band’s official website:

A couple of weeks ago I visited the Tool loft to try and get some kind of idea as to how things were progressing with the writing sessions now that the band was back hard at it. Well, I am happy to report that there has indeed been a lot of progress as far as new material goes, especially with the lengthy so-called “epic’ piece that the guys have been arranging for quite some time now.

Shortly after I arrived, before taking to their respective instruments, Adam suggested that everyone should first have a listen to what they had recorded during the previous session in order to make sure that all were in agreement with certain recently added sections. And listen they did. In fact, to give you some idea – my parking meter expired twice before they were done. And judging from the smiles on their faces, it seemed that, for the most part, Danny, Adam and Justin liked very much what they were hearing and that after some finishing touches, the ‘epic’ tune would be ready for Maynard to do his thing. (During some of the more melodic passages, I was trying to envision the vocals which, to me, brings it all together.)

After a bit of discussion about some rapid-fire triplets in one section, I asked Danny if he was going to be able to knock out the piece in one take when it came time to track it? His response was to smile and bury his head in his hands, which I will let the readers interpret for themselves. As for the song itself, without giving too much away, it features complex time signatures, interesting harmonic structure and expanding effects processing – similar to what fans of Tool have come to expect – only now, perhaps not surprisingly, the band has taken it to the next level.

Okay, having given you this bit of an update, please note that I am NOT suggesting in any way that the band is ready to go into the studio any time soon. I honestly have no idea as far as any recording timetables go. I am also not sure how many other songs are near completion at this point. Nor do I know at what stage the vocals might be at for ANY of the new material. All I am saying is that as far as this one particular song goes (albeit, a very lengthy one), it was a LOT closer to being finished (instrumentally, speaking) than the last time that I heard it, and that fans of Tool’s music will certainly not be disappointed.